Chloe Cardigan

Chloe Cardigan by Margot Taylor

What is Being Made

The Chloe Cardigan is a downloadable knitting pattern designed for babies in three sizes: 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. This is a classic button-front cardigan featuring decorative lace patterning on the body and constructed using traditional knitting techniques. The finished garment is suitable for layering over baby clothing and fastens with three buttons.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and decorative knitting techniques. The pattern begins with a lace stitch repeat worked over the lower body section, which requires coordination of yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork design. Increases and decreases are worked evenly across rows to adjust stitch counts between sizes. The upper body transitions to stocking stitch, the most basic knitted fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows. Armhole shaping is achieved through casting off stitches at the beginning of consecutive rows. The pattern requires assembly of multiple pieces and finishing with button attachment.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch forming the base of the fabric
• Purl stitch (P): The reverse of the knit stitch, used to create texture and stocking stitch when alternated with knit rows
• Knit two together (K2 tog.): A right-leaning decrease used in both lace patterning and shaping
• Yarn over (yo.): Creates decorative holes in the lace pattern by wrapping yarn around the needle
• Slip, knit, pass slip stitch over (sl 1., K1., psso.): A left-leaning decrease used in the lace stitch repeat
• Slip stitch (sl): Moving a stitch from one needle to another without working it
• Increases (inc.): Worked evenly across rows to adjust stitch counts for different sizes
• Decreases (dec.): Worked evenly across rows for size adjustments
• Casting on and casting off: Techniques for creating and securing the edges of the knitted fabric

Materials

The Chloe Cardigan is knitted using Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply yarn, a DK weight yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size: the 3-month size requires 200g of yarn, the 6-month size requires 200g, and the 9-month size requires 400g. Knitting is worked on 4.00mm needles, which are appropriately sized for DK weight yarn to achieve the specified tension. A tapestry needle is used for weaving in yarn ends and seaming pieces together. The cardigan is finished with three buttons measuring 2cm in diameter.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches over 10 centimetres, which should be achieved using 4.00mm needles with the recommended yarn. Accurate tension is essential for proper fit across all three baby sizes. The pattern provides detailed stitch counts and measurements for each size to ensure appropriate proportions.